Aberdeen vs RoPS prediction: Aberdeen 2-0 RoPS

Can Derek McInnes finally lead Aberdeen to the Europa League group stages?

Since he took over in 2013, they’ve lost in the third qualifying round four times and the second qualifying round once.

The Dons are big favourites to get through this tie so will they head to Finland with a lead?

NEWPORT, WALES – SEPTEMBER 30: General view as heavy rain falls during the Guinness PRO14 match between Dragons and Southern Kings at Rodney Parade on September 30, 2017 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Aberdeen vs RoPS: Who will win?

Aberdeen are massive favourites at 1/6 to win this first leg at Pittodrie.

RoPS have won just three of nine European away matches and are 11/1 to add to that.

A draw would be an amazing result for the visitors and that is 11/2.

Under 2.5 goals is 7/4.

Both teams to score no is 4/5.

Aberdeen to win and keep a clean sheet is 10/11.

The Dons are 1/25 to qualify; Rovaniemen Palloseura are 9/1 to make the next round.

Sam Cosgrove was Aberdeen’s top scorer last season. He is 9/4 to score first and 4/9 to kick off this season with a goal.

James Wilson could also be a threat. He is 7/2 to open the scoring and 19/20 to score anytime.

Aleksandr Kokko could be the visitor’s biggest threat. He is 12/1 to score first and 10/3 to net anytime.

Last season, they were unfortunate to draw Burnley in the second qualifying round.

A 1-1 draw at Pittodrie was followed by a draw of the same scoreline at Turf Moor before Burnley edged through in extra time.

After that, it was a frustrating season for the Dons.

They finished fourth in the Scottish Premiership, their lowest finish since 2013/14.

In the cups, they lost to Celtic in the League Cup Final before losing to Celtic again in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

Their only trophy since 1996 remains that League Cup triumph in 2014 so will they end the drought this season?

However, first they must focus on Europe.

Derek McInnes has made no secret of his desire to lead Aberdeen to the group stages so will this year finally be the year?

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – MARCH 15: The logo of the UEFA Europa League is seen prior to the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 match between FC Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund at the Red Bull Arena on March 15, 2018 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Bongarts/Getty Images,)

Can RoPS cause an upset?

As for RoPS, they do not have much European pedigree.

Two of their four wins in Europe both came in the 1987 run to the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final.

In the 21st century, they’ve won just one tie and that was against Shamrock Rovers in 2016 before they were beaten by NK Lokomotiva.

Last season, they finished second in the Veikkausliiga; their highest finish since 2015.

They’re actually half way through this league season.

Eleven games in they’ve won four, drawn four and lost three.

That leaves them down in sixth but they are only three points behind the league leaders FC Ilves

This will be a big occasion for a fairly small club in Finland so can they get a result in the granite city?

Aberdeen team news vs RoPS

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 31: The Scottish flag is seen during the Scottish League Cup Semi-Final match between Dundee United and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on January 31, 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

It’s been a summer of change at Aberdeen.

Two key players have departed and have left big voids.

In goal, Joe Lewis is still at the club though after signing a new deal last season.

In defence, Scott McKenna has been linked with a move away but is still at the club and will continue to be key alongside Michael Devlin.

Andrew Considine is expected to keep his place at left-back despite the arrival of Greg Leigh from NAC Breda on loan.

In midfield, Graeme Shinnie and Gary Mackay-Steven have both left the club on free transfers to Derby County and New York City respectively.

Craig Bryson could make his debut in midfield after joining from Derby.

Jon Gallagher could also make his debut after joining on loan from MLS Cup Champions Atlanta United .

Up front, James Wilson made his loan from Manchester United permanent in the summer and could get the nod over another new recruit Curtis Main.

Sam Cosgrove was the top scorer last season with 17 so will he kick off this campaign with a goal?

RoPS team news vs Aberdeen

NYON, SWITZERLAND – JULY 18: The UEFA logo is seen on the UEFA Champions League trophy as it is prepared for the UEFA 2014/15 Champions League third qualifying rounds draw at the UEFA headquarters, The House of European Football, on July 18, 2014 in Nyon, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images for UEFA)

RoPS were in action as recently as Saturday but they were beaten 2-1.

Will that extra fitness work in their favour?

They’re likely to play 4-2-3-1 as they have in the majority of games in 2019.

Spaniard Antonio Reguero will keep his place in goal.

He’s played the last ten league games after displacing Damjan Shishkovski.

Taye Taiwo is a very experienced full-back.

He’s previously played for Olympique de Marseille, A.C. Milan and Dynamo Kyiv during his illustrious career.

Mahamadou Sissoko will know Scottish football having made 85 appearance for Kilmarnock, winning the League Cup.

Lucas Lingman will partner Eetu Muinonen at the base of midfield.

Brazilian Agnaldo Pinto de Moraes Júnior, known as Agnaldo, is likely to get the nod over Tarik Kada wide right.

Up front, despite starting at the weekend, Matias Tamminen is likely to drop out for Niklas Jokelainen who has five goals in 19 appearances this season.

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